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Director of Protestant Music Ministries - Dover AFB

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE.AIR MOBILITY COMMAND.FA4497 436 CONS LGC · Response deadline: Fri, 09 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The Air Mobility Command at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware is soliciting a contractor to serve as a Protestant Music Ministries Director. This is a chaplaincy support role under the military's religious support services, not a standard goods or services contract.

NAICS code 711130 covers "Musical Groups and Artists," indicating this is classified as a professional creative/performance services contract. The work typically involves planning, directing, and coordinating Protestant worship music programs on a military installation, including choir direction, selecting liturgical music, training volunteer musicians, and supporting religious services for the base community.

The contract is solely set aside for small business, meaning only qualified small business concerns under NAICS 711130 size standards ($8.0 million average annual receipts) may submit offers. No portion is unrestricted or reserved for other socioeconomic programs.

Key facts

Who can bid

• Small business concerns verified as small under NAICS 711130 through the SizePro tool or prior SBA size determination
• Firms must be registered in SAM.gov with active registration through contract performance period
• Must have DUNS and CAGE codes and maintain any required Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) records
• No specific socioeconomic certification (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB) is required beyond small business status

Bidders should confirm their primary NAICS and any relevant experience codes in SAM.gov match 711130 or related musical/religious services categories.

How to put together a competitive bid

Demonstrate relevant credentials: Successful bidders typically highlight formal musical training, ecclesiastical endorsement or ordination in a Protestant denomination, and prior chapel music direction experience—especially in military or institutional settings. Include resumes of proposed directors and any substitute/backup personnel.

Address security requirements: Dover AFB requires contractor employees to obtain installation access. See the solicitation for specific background check, credentialing, or Common Access Card (CAC) requirements. Factor security processing timelines into your proposed start date.

Structure for performance-based pricing: This is likely a labor-hours or firm-fixed-price contract for a defined number of service hours per week. Propose clear deliverables (worship services supported, rehearsals conducted, special ceremonies covered). Identify how you will cover absences and religious holidays.

Highlight volunteer coordination: Protestant music ministry programs depend heavily on volunteer choir members and musicians. Describe your approach to recruiting, training, and retaining volunteer participants from the base community.

Reference comparable contracts: Include past performance on federal or military chapel support contracts, particularly under Air Force or Army Religious Support operations. Performance metrics might include worship attendance, volunteer retention, or chaplain satisfaction scores.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number FA4497-26-Q-0055 to obtain the statement of work, evaluation factors, pricing instructions, and any amendments
2. Verify small business size status in SAM.gov and resolve any active exclusions before the response deadline
3. Submit questions through SAM.gov if any requirements are unclear—allow time for contracting officer responses
4. Note the deadline: October 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time—late submissions will not be considered under federal acquisition regulations

Late offers or incomplete proposals risk automatic rejection; use SAM.gov's "Submit Offer" functionality and retain proof of successful transmission.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →